By our reporter 28.4.2026
Two Nigerian citizens have been killed in South Africa where xenophobic violence has escalated in recent days.
According to the Nigerian Consul-General in Johannesburg, Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, the two victims identified as Amaramiro Emmanuel and Andrew Ekpenyong were killed by the South Africa National Defence Force.
South Africans have called on other Africans living in their country to leave, some Africans were being chased down by South African mobs and beaten down. The violence has spread to several cities like East London, Cape Town, Durban, and KwaZulu-Natal city prompting the Nigerian Embassy to issue an advisory.
According to Consul-General Okey-Uche the two victims were attacked and beaten by SANDFF operatives. Mr Andrew’s corpse was found on April 19, days after his arrest in the Booysens area of Pretoria.
He was arrested due to an alleged altercation with members of the Tshwane Metro Police, and his body was discovered at the Pretoria Central Mortuary afterwards.
The second victim died on April 20 due to injuries he sustained from an attack by the security personnel.
Ms Okey-Uche stated that the separate incidents shocked the families of the deceased, the Nigerian community and diplomatic missions.
She also said, “A formal case has been opened with the South African Police Service, and the matter is being investigated.
“We welcome this development and underscore the importance of ensuring the investigation is conducted in a thorough, transparent, and impartial manner.
“In this regard, the Consulate-General respectfully calls on the relevant South African authorities, including the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), to expedite inquiries and establish the facts surrounding this incident.
“Our position is that no matter what the allegations may be, there are lawful processes and steps to justice. All should be presumed innocent and granted fair treatment and a hearing in a court of law.
“No one should take the law into their own hands under any circumstances. We hope to achieve the ultimate prosecution of the perpetrators,” she said.
She further urged Nigerians residing in the country to remain law-abiding.